Hockey hopeful jobless may have peaked

A steady jobless rate has encouraged Treasurer Joe Hockey to believe the worst may have passed.

The latest labour force figures showed unemployment remained at 5.8 per cent in April when economists had expected a rise to 5.9 per cent after the surprise fall from six per cent in March.

"Maybe we are not going to hit the (Labor) legacy of 6.25 per cent," Mr Hockey said in a meeting with Treasury secretary Martin Parkinson to put the final touches to next Tuesday's budget.

But he concedes there is still much work to be done.

Employment Minister Eric Abetz was more reserved in his thoughts on Thursday's numbers that also showed the number of people in full-time work rising by 14,200, when economists had expected a small fall.

He said month-to-month figures should be treated with caution.

"The coalition has inherited a tough fiscal position; that creates a difficult position for jobs creation," Senator Abetz said in a statement.